Pembina Chooses Portland for West Coast Export Terminal

Pembina Pipeline Corp. (Calgary) said Sept. 2 it had selected the Port of Portland, Ore. as the site of its planned West Coast propane export terminal project. On Aug. 28, Pembina entered into an agreement with the Port of Portland that establishes the terminal, which includes an existing marine berth for development of the project. The terminal agreement outlines the commercial lease terms.

The company comments that the terminal agreement now enables it to begin the process of engaging and consulting with port neighbors and other stakeholders in Portland, municipal, state, and federal governments, and all environmental and regulatory authorities. Pembina intends to initially develop a 37,000-bbld propane export facility with an expected capital investment of about $500 million and an in-service date of early 2018. The company expects the West Coast terminal will provide growing Canadian propane supply—derived from natural gas produced in western Canada—with access to large, international markets while complementing Pembina’s expanding integrated service offering for products derived from natural gas.

The Port of Portland is located along the Columbia and Willamette rivers. The Columbia River provides deep-water access to the Pacific Ocean, which is about 112 miles downstream. The port has land available for the installation of storage, piping, rail facilities, and marine infrastructure. “Signing the terminal agreement is a tremendous milestone for the project,” said Mick Dilger, Pembina’s president and CEO. “It marks the beginning of consulting and engaging with stakeholders, governments, and the environmental and regulatory authorities.”

“Our port is already a proven gateway for Canadian exports and imports, and I am impressed by the level of experience, expertise, and commitment to safety that Pembina brings to the table,” added Bill Wyatt, executive director of the Port of Portland. “This will be an excellent fit, and we are fully committed to make the project a reality in Portland.”